Dr. Cynthia Stephenson, a solo dental practitioner in the San Francisco Bay Area, earned her DDS at the UCLA School of Dentistry. At her practice in Walnut Creek, Dr. Cynthia Stephenson a variety of modalities for easing patient anxiety, from movies and headsets to anti-anxiety medications or nitrous oxide. In rare cases, Dr. Stephenson will ask a medical anesthesiologist to apply general anesthesia.

1. NITROUS OXIDE AND SEDATION
DENTISTRY
Dr. Cynthia Stephenson

2. INTRODUCTION
 Dr. Cynthia Stephenson, a solo dental practitioner in the
San Francisco Bay Area, earned her DDS at the UCLA
School of Dentistry. At her practice in Walnut Creek, Dr.
Cynthia Stephenson a variety of modalities for easing
patient anxiety, from movies and headsets to anti-anxiety
medications or nitrous oxide. In rare cases, Dr.
Stephenson will ask a medical anesthesiologist to apply
general anesthesia.
A nonirritating, sweet-smelling gas administered via
inhalation, nitrous oxide sedates patients while enabling
them to breathe on their own and retain control of all body
functions. Nitrous oxide has been used for many years,
due in large part to the ability of the dentist to increase or
decrease sedation at any time.

3. SEDATION DENTISTRY
 Nitrous oxide has no side effects on the heart or
lungs, and it produces no "hangover" effect after
administration.
There are no significant contraindications
involved with nitrous oxide, but it can cause mild
amnesia in some patients. In some cases,
patients with such conditions as emphysema or
exotic chest problems may feel uncomfortable
breathing the gas. Nevertheless, nitrous oxide is
considered largely safe for the majority of
people.